Spa selections 2020: Saratoga picks July 25

Ginger N Rye won the 2017 Smart N Fancy Stakes at Saratoga. Photo by Chelsea Durand/NYRA.

by Joseph Aiello

In Spa Selections, Saratoga on-site correspondent Joseph Aiello provides Saratoga picks for a handful of key races at Saratoga, including all of the exciting stakes action!

Race 3 – Grade II Ballston Spa Stakes

1. #5 Sistercharlie (2-5) – She is certainly vulnerable at this distance and may not offer great value, but won off a similar layoff last year and wins if she gets help from North Broadway

2. #6 Starship Jubilee (2-1) – Will win if she controls the race early, and has been in better form than Sistercharlie who comes off a long layoff

3. #1 Call Me Love (5-1) – Don’t be surprised if this filly beats the two favorites, as this jockey trainer combo have been on a tear and a repeat of her trip two back can win here

Race 7 – Alw 74000n1x

1. #7 Proven Strategies (3-1) – Has plenty of speed and might be able to steal this race at a mile if he avoids pressure from Don Juan Kitten among others

2. #8 Lonesome Fugitive (2-1) – Chad Brown trainee is too good to pass up in multi-race bets, and was able to close into a slow pace last time to break maiden

3. #9 Montauk Daddy (15-1) – Tough to overlook the other Chad Brown runner, but this colt offers great value and is best suited closing, but will need pressure on Proven Strategies

Race 8 – OC 62500n2x

1. #8 Locally Owned (8-1) – Is somewhat reliant on the pace scenario with Leitone likely to be going fast, but showed some stalking versatility last time out in a win at this distance

2. #6 Prioritize (3-1) – Has put in three straight solid efforts since his switch to dirt, and despite less class than Parsimony, this gelding should be closing late

3. #1A Money Moves (5-2) – Sat off the leader in a quick early pace last time and pulled away in the stretch; a repeat performance should get this colt at least in the money

Race 9 – Alw 64000n1x

1. #7 Mo Ready (6-1) – This first time gelding broke his maiden at Saratoga last year at this distance, and should get a good stalking trip from Jose Ortiz at a good price

2. #4 Barleewon (3-1) – His win last time out is the best race of this field, and a repeat performance will likely lead him to the winner’s circle

3. #3 Simply (4-1) – Tough call here with Turbo Drive and Sanctuary City who offer better value, but this grey gelding has been more consistent in his two starts

Race 10 – Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap

1. #4 Volatile (4-5) – Will be interesting to see if this colt goes to the lead initially, but at this distance he is the most likely winner despite the step up in class

2. #3 Firenze Fire (4-1) – If last race was any indication, this five year old is the most primed and ready to take down this small field at a fair price

3. #2 Whitmore (2-1) – Mind Control has had great success at Saratoga, but may want more distance to close into, so this gelding is a good choice to close from off the leaders